JACKSON, Tenn. -- On November 23, 2002, Fred Watson earned his first career coaching victory, leading Benedict past Voorhees, a NAIA school in South Carolina. Since then, Watson has changed schools but his penchant for winning has never waned.

Saturday evening at Oman Arena, Watson reached a career milestone, earning his 400th career win as Miles knocked off Lane 70-64. It was his 80th victory in four seasons (80-21) manning the sidelines for the Golden Bears (11-3, 7-2 SIAC West), who have won five in-a-row. Watson, who has 11 20-win seasons, is 400-171 (.701 winning percentage) overall and has only one losing season - his first back in 2002-03.

The win over the Dragon was reminiscent of so many victories Watson's teams have churned out during his career - using defense to turn the tide until the offense can get on track.

Miles trailed by eight points with less than six minutes remaining and when Lane's Kylan Haywood scored with 4:58 left in the contest, the Golden Bears trailed 63-56. But for the Dragons, it would be the last shot they would make from the field in the game. Lane missed three shots from the field, turned the ball over three times and missed 4-of-5 free throws - including three misses on the front end of a 1-and-1 - to give the Golden Bears a chance to come back.

The Golden Bears did just that, and did it from the outside. Rodney Battle drained a 3-pointer as he was fouled, then knocked down the ensuing free throw for a 4-point play. On the next possession, Chase Ballard (four points, two assists) hit a floater in the paint to cut the deficit to a single point. Miles would take the lead for good when Eddie Smith (15 points, four rebounds) drained his own 3-ball for a 65-63 lead with 1:23 to go.

Lane had a few opportunities to tie the game or retake the lead but turned the ball over twice. Then, with less than 30 seconds to go, Makai Vassell (seven points, five rebounds) took a feed from Ballard and converted the hoop while he was fouled. He made the free throw for a 3-point play to push the advantage to 68-63. The Dragons would split two free throws and Yasim Hooker (four points, four rebounds) would knock down both of his to close out the scoring.

Maximillion Bell had 17 points and Justin Sylver added 10 points to pace Lane. Battle had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists and Mykayle Carter added 12 points off the bench for Miles, which travels to play at LeMoyne-Owen on MOnday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.